What’s going on at LTC?

• Celebrating Success at LTC

• Capturing Drama: Acting to Camera in Term 2

• Raising Awareness Through The Push-Up Challenge

• Investigating Carbon in Trees: An Interdisciplinary Science Project

• SGP Students Excel in Hospitality Training

• Ben Haywood’s Rowing Success and Olympic Aspirations

• Celebrating Kalden Elphick’s Achievement in the CISCO ‘Net Riders’ IT Competition

• AST Trials

• LTC Inclusion Students Explore Trade Skills

• Hands-On Learning in Biology: Dissections and Comparative Anatomy

• Inspiring Students’ Careers in Psychology

• LTC Students Excel at ANU Maths Day

• Introducing the New Parent Portal

• Canberra BMW’s Apprentice Technician Open Night

• Cyber Security Tips for Parents

• Recorded online safety webinars and videos for parents and carers

• Future of Education Equity Fund

• Explore Student Support @ College Life

• DiscoverFAD – University of Canberra School Holiday Short Courses

• University of Canberra Creative Competition – submissions now open

• 2024 CIT School Engagement Events

• Protecting ourselves from illness over winter

• Gratitude to Woolworths Tuggeranong: Weekly Fruit Donations

• Mobile Phone Policy

•  Audrey Fagan Enrichment Grant Program

• Travelling to and from school – Bike and pedestrian safety    

• Free parent and carer online safety (eSafety) information webinars

• Become a Homestay Host

• Menslink – Supporting Young Men in Canberra

• Telephone Parenting Counselling

• Tuggeranong Repair Cafe

• Do not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms

• Blog information

Celebrating Success at LTC

Before the class-free period began, we celebrated the achievements of our outstanding students at the Success Assembly.

🎓 Learn Awards are given to students who have demonstrated success in developing their skills as lifelong learners.

🌟 Thrive Awards are given to students who have thrived in managing themselves and their education.

🤝 Connect Awards recognise students who have benefited others in our community, given assistance, or demonstrated excellent citizenship qualities.

Thank you to our families, friends, and the wider LTC community for coming to support and celebrate our successes. It was a wonderful celebration of our students’ dedication to learning, thriving, and connecting as we head into the last week before exams.

📸 Ella (Yr 12) and Lachlan (Yr 11)

Capturing Drama: Acting to Camera in Term 2

In Drama this term, our Year 12 students have been honing their skills by acting to camera, thanks to the invaluable assistance of LTC alumni Corwyn Ross.

Students explored a range of complex characters and intense scenes. Daniel Roodt and Zoe Brennan tackled the infamous scene between Richard III and Anne, showcasing Richard’s manipulation and ruthlessness. Roisin Hannen delved into Lady Macbeth’s madness and Sylvia Plath’s emotional turmoil in contrasting monologues. Alastair McKenzie powerfully conveyed the brutality of war in Henry V’s monologue at the siege of Harfleur. Ella Elwes explored the supernatural through Lady Macbeth’s invocation of evil spirits and Edgar Allen Poe’s “Spirits of the Dead.”

Their performances highlighted a rich tapestry of emotional depth and the human condition, all captured brilliantly on camera.

Raising Awareness Through The Push-Up Challenge

In June, our LTC community is actively participating in The Push-Up Challenge to spotlight the number of lives lost to suicide iand raise mental health awareness. We’re supporting headspace Tuggeranong, Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, which provides early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.

Students, staff, and community members can create or join a team, or support someone who is participating. Together, we’re pushing for better mental health. So far, our college community has completed 5,215 push-ups and raised $1,147!

Let’s continue supporting headspace Tuggeranong and working towards their vision of all young Australians being mentally healthy and engaged in their communities. Join our LTC community team here: The Push-Up Challenge and remember, it’s ok not to be ok. If you need support, reach out to College Life, your TRaC teacher, or any other teacher today. 💪💙

Investigating Carbon in Trees: An Interdisciplinary Science Project

This term, our Interdisciplinary Science students have been investigating carbon in trees. They applied trigonometry to measure the Chinese Pistachio trees at LTC and went on an excursion to the National Arboretum. As part of their assignment, they calculated the quantity of carbon absorbed by various trees, including the California Redwood, Wollemi Pine, Silver Birch, White Cedar, and Himalayan Cedar.

Additionally, Dr. Randall Donohue from CSIRO visited our students, providing insights into measuring carbon in trees from individual trees to entire countries using satellite data. He also discussed how this data models fuel loads in forests for bushfire prevention and risk reduction. For more details on Dr. Donohue’s work, visit here.

SGP Students Excel in Hospitality Training

For three weeks, our students from the SGP completed a short course with JCE Positive Outcomes (RTO) in hospitality. They gained valuable skills in Food Handling and Hygiene as well as Basic Barista skills.

Ben Haywood’s Rowing Success and Olympic Aspirations

🏅 Congratulations to our Year 12 student, Ben Haywood, who won 10 medals at various outdoor regattas over the summer racing season! Ben is currently training for qualification into the U21 Australian rowing team. We’ll be cheering on all the rowers at the upcoming Olympics, where many athletes and coaches have already extended their support and guidance to Ben.

Celebrating Kalden Elphick’s Achievement in the CISCO ‘Net Riders’ IT Competition

We would like to congratulate Kalden Elphick in Year 12 who entered the Asia Pacific CISCO ‘Net Riders’ IT competition and won a Bronze medal! 🌏

Kalden competed against university students across the Asia Pacific region. As one of our IT ASBAs, he supports IT at the college. He is pursuing a career in Cyber Security after college and has already set up his pathway with the Royal Australian Navy with a cadetship in 2024.

AST Trials

The AST trials were in full swing two weeks ago. All tertiary students completed three exams that tested their logical, critical, and rational thinking skills. This was the final trial for Year 12 students before they sit the real AST next term.

The AST is an important part of the Tertiary Package and is used to scale final scores and calculate the ATAR. All students gave their best effort and took the trials very seriously. 📝

A big thank you to Sally and her team for putting together a breakfast for the AST students before the first exam took place.

LTC Inclusion Students Explore Trade Skills

LTC Inclusion students were recently invited to a Trade Workshop here at Lake Tuggeranong College. Students were introduced to a range of trades by Programmed and Uniting Care, and given the opportunity to develop their skills in plastering, fixing kitchen cabinets, and changing fly screens. 🛠️

Hands-On Learning in Biology: Dissections and Comparative Anatomy

🧬🔬 This semester, our Biology classes have been developing their lab skills through dissections of sheep hearts and fish. Students learned about and compared the mammalian circulatory system and heart structure with those of other animals, such as fish.

Additionally, they explored the respiratory systems of mammals and fish, focusing on gill systems and countercurrent gas exchange processes. This week, they are also learning about renal systems and performing a kidney dissection.

Inspiring Students’ Careers in Psychology

Recently the ACT branch of the Australian Psychological Society held their quarterly workshop and Continuing Professional Development event at Lake Tuggeranong College.

Olga Rouss presented on “Depression, Anxiety and Memory Referrals in Clinical Practice” which attracted a wide range of practitioners and professionals from the 800+ members ACT Branch of the APS.

Branch President, Dr. Nadira Pardo, teaches Psychology at our College and invited her 120 Psychology students to participate in this event as a way to reinforce concepts being taught in the National Curriculum and BSSS to college students in her classes.

Pictured below (left to right) Dr. Nadira Pardo; Olga Rouss, guest speaker, Clinical Psychologist and Branch Treasurer; Jenni Avidon, Clinical Psychologist and Branch Secretary; Tobiash Novak, College Psychology student; Chad Henney and Nicole Silva, ANU Psychology students and APS ACT Branch Committee members.

The next event will be held in Term 3 on “Suicide Prevention Strategies: Application and Efficacy of the O’Connor model in Scotland” presented by Prof. Pardo, PhD, MAPS. Please contact Nadira by email (nadira.pardo@ed.act.edu. au ) if you all would like to attend, and you will be added to the invitation guest list.

LTC Students Excel at ANU Maths Day

Our students recently competed at ANU Maths Day, demonstrating great enthusiasm and brain power. Congratulations to all participants for their hard work and dedication!

Introducing the New Parent Portal

Have you registered an account to access the Parent Portal? This term, we are introducing a new Parent Portal, a secure online platform used to share student information between you and your child’s teachers. You’ll be able to access a range of information and services about your child’s school life using the Parent Portal.

Get ahead by creating your ACT Digital Account now if you don’t have one already. Create an account and complete the level 2 ID verification by visiting: ACT Digital Account.To read more about the Parent Portal, head to our website: LTC Website.

Canberra BMW’s Apprentice Technician Open Night

Cyber Security Tips for Parents

Keeping our students safe online is a top priority. The Australian Cyber Security Centre provides resources to help parents protect their children from cyber threats. We encourage all parents to review the following guides:

Protect your children online: A guide to cyber security for parents and carers covers key tips including:

• Using antivirus software and backing up data regularly
• Staying informed on the latest cyber threats
• Teaching kids to recognise online scams and how to report them.

Security tips for online gaming has helpful tips to protect against security risks such as viruses and account takeovers:

• Importance of Multi Factor authentication
• Password protection
• Use of legitimate software.

Online shopping shows you and your children how to safely shop online.

Recorded online safety webinars and videos for parents and carers

To further support parents and carers, the Education Directorate’s Online Safety Education team has recorded their live webinars, sliced into bite-sized videos, to offer a more convenient and flexible viewing option for families.

There are currently four playlists available covering topics such as cyberbullying, sextortion, online grooming, managing screen time, building healthy digital habits, parental controls and resources and reporting.

Use the link below to find a list of the available playlists: https://bit.ly/ACTEDU_Online_Safety_Videos

Future of Education Equity Fund

Applications are now open for the Future of Education Equity Fund for the 2024 school year. Providing yearly one-off payments to low-income Canberra families with students from Preschool to Year 12 level, and independent students, the Fund helps cover costs associated with schooling. Check your eligibility now!

Apply online at https://bit.ly/3SH0cUr

Explore Student Support @ College Life

Hey LTC Students! 

Student Support @ College Life: Check out the site for valuable resources and support. 

https://sites.google.com/…/studentsupportcollegelife/home

DiscoverFAD – University of Canberra School Holiday Short Courses

The University of Canberra’s Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD) invites year 10 to 12 students to attend their DiscoverFAD short courses during the winter school holidays. Facilitated by their talented academics, the courses are a great way for senior secondary students to experience what life is like at university and gain an understanding of the pathways available to get there. The University of Canberra offers 11 short courses across the July school holidays aligning with the degrees they offer.

Work created in a DiscoverFAD short course can be used to apply for a University of Canberra, Faculty of Arts and Design degree via Portfolio Entry and can be submitted to the UC Creative Competition. To find out what courses are available, or to register, visit the DiscoverFAD website or refer to the attached flyers.

University of Canberra Creative Competition – submissions now open

Submissions for the 2024 University of Canberra (UC) Creative Competition are now open. This competition celebrates the creativity of year 11 and 12 students. Whether it is a school-related assignment or a personal project, students can submit their work for an opportunity to win a full year’s tuition, as well as semester study grants towards an Arts and Design degree at UC. Other prizes include mentoring sessions, merchandise from UC partners, and cash prizes. Each piece of work will be published in their competition gallery and open to voting for their annual People’s Choice Award. 

Submissions close Wednesday 25 September 2024. To find out more, or to submit a nomination visit the UC website or refer to the attached flyer.

2024 CIT School Engagement Events

In 2024, the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is offering a range of events, workshops, and practical activities to provide school students with opportunities to explore campus facilities and sample course offerings across different industry areas. The range of programs and activities enable students to explore or sample different fields of study and are designed to connect them with industry and provide practical skills for real world experience. These offerings include accredited and non-accredited courses for high school and college students aged 15 years and over.

Discover what’s on offer in the Schools Engagement Calendar or visit CIT for school students.

Protecting ourselves from illness over winter

The cooler weather is well and truly here. We have already seen an increase in COVID-19 and other seasonal illness at school, and across the community. It is important we keep everyone healthy by making sure we take simple steps to protect one another.

As parents and carers, one of the simplest ways to do this is to keep your child at home when they are unwell.

If your child has COVID-19 you must let us know by contacting the Front Office.

Your child should only return to school once they are well, and their symptoms have cleared.

Get vaccinated

You are reminded that vaccination is one of the best ways to keep everyone safe. I encourage everyone who can, to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. To find out more visit the ACT Health website.

COVID Smart ACT public schools

ACT public schools have a range of strategies in place to keep everyone safe over winter. This includes cleaning of high touch points in schools, as well as strategies to ensure we balance ventilation and thermal comfort in classrooms to help prevent the spread of illness. You can read more on our website.

Gratitude to Woolworths Tuggeranong: Weekly Fruit Donations

Once again a huge THANK YOU to the team at Woolworths Tuggeranong who have generously agreed to donate two boxes of fruit, every week again this year. The fruit is made available for all students at our College Life help desk 🍎😀

Mobile Phone Policy

You are reminded that the new Personal Use of Communication Devices in ACT Public Schools Policy now applies in all schools from term 2, 2024.

For students at LTC this means:

· Mobile phones and other personal communications devices must be silenced and put away during class time.

Exemptions can be requested if a student needs their device/assistive technology:

· to manage or monitor a medical condition

· to help meet caring or family responsibilities

· to support adjustments for students with disability as part of an agreed individual learning plan.

If you have not applied for an exemption, please speak with our front office.

You can read more about the policy including frequently asked questions on the Education Directorate website.

Audrey Fagan Enrichment Grant Program

Is funding stopping you from pursuing your passion and goals? The 2024 Audrey Fagan Enrichment Grant Program is open for applications!

The Audrey Fagan Enrichment Grants highlight the ACT Government’s commitment to the development of opportunities for a young girl or gender diverse people aged 12 to 18 years. The grants aim to inspire young girls and gender diverse people to enhance their skills and knowledge within their area of interest. 

The Enrichment Grants are part of the ACT Government’s Audrey Fagan suite of programs.  Established in 2007, this program is in memory of Audrey Fagan, the ACT’s first female Chief of Police. This program honours and recognises her support and mentorship of girls and gender diverse people.

The Enrichment Grants provide funding of up to $2,000 to help eligible applicants to achieve their goals. It also provides an opportunity for them to make decisions, take responsibility, or initiate projects in collaboration with an experienced mentor of their choice. The grant funding can contribute to costs like equipment, forums, courses, or travel expenses.

To find out more and to apply, scan the QR Code or visit  Funding for girls, non-binary and gender diverse young people to achieve their goals – ACT Government

Travelling to and from school – Bike and pedestrian safety      

The Ride or Walk to School (RWTS) and It’s Your Move Safe Cycle (IYMSC) programs are initiatives of the ACT Government, delivered by Transport and City Services Canberra. These programs provide all ACT schools with access to curriculum aligned resources to teach students how to cycle safely and independently to school to increase active travel rates and improve safety on our roads around schools. The program consists of teacher training (Safe Cycle) and resources, various supporting materials, parental engagement material and dedicated support from the program manager.

The School Safety Program also offers:

· access to free bike hire delivered to and from school to facilitate program delivery

· online teacher training programs

· interactive professional learning workshops for staff

· lesson plans and resource manuals

· program merchandise and active travel initiatives

· downloadable resources and materials

· dedicated support for program delivery and active travel events.

For more information, visit Transport Canberra City Services School programs or contact us directly at TCCS.SchoolSaftey@act.gov.au.

Free parent and carer online safety (eSafety) information webinars

The Online Safety Education team are committed to supporting school communities to develop their online safety skills and knowledge. The team aim to increase the number of safe and positive online experiences students have and reduce the number of online safety incidents that impact on learning environments.

There are multiple webinars running each term with both afternoon and evening times available that will help your family be more confident and safer online by:

· understanding online safety and risks young people face

· learning strategies to prevent and respond to online issues

· supporting your child to be safe online

· knowing where to go for further support.

Register for the Parent & Carer Online Safety Webinars – 2024 online at

https://bit.ly/2024_OnlineSafetyWebinar_RSVP

Become a Homestay Host

Are you interested in broadening your family’s cultural experiences and forming lifelong friendships?

The ACT Education Directorate is seeking Homestay hosts for international students planning to study at an ACT public high school or college.

By becoming a Homestay host, you’ll not only provide a room and meals, but you’ll also welcome a young person into your family and support their growth as they gain new perspectives, confidence, English fluency, and academic and essential life skills.

International students participating in the Homestay program are aged 16 years or above. If you have the time to support a student’s social wellbeing and academic endeavours, and have an interest in other cultures, we would love to hear from you.

A weekly payment will be provided to help cover the costs of living expenses.

Find out more at bit.ly/HomestayCanberra or email ieu@act.gov.au, or call 02 6205 9194.

Menslink – Supporting Young Men in Canberra

Menslink has provided free counselling to young guys throughout the Canberra region for 20+ years.

If your young guy is having a hard time, is anxious, uncertain or fearful of his future and could really use someone to talk to, get in touch!

Our wait times are relatively low so we’re ready to help when your young guy needs it.

We provide a welcoming and supportive environment for young guys to share their concerns and worries and we provide tips and strategies to get them through those tough times that many of them are facing right now.

Menslink Counselling sessions are completely confidential and are available to any young guy aged 10-25. There are no fees or charges, and no limits to the number of sessions. You don’t need a mental health plan and we are available during school terms and school holidays.

Do you think your young guy would really benefit from a counselling session? If so, have a chat with them and head to www.menslink.org.au, hit the ‘Get Help’ button, fill in the form and we’ll get back to you, generally the same or next business day.

If you need more info on how to have that chat with them, just email admin@menslink.org.au or call 6287 2226 and we will send you some information.

Telephone Parenting Counselling

Parentline ACT is a not-for-profit organisation offering a free confidential telephone service for parents and families in the ACT and surrounding area. Calls are answered by workers who are professionally trained to help you with information and support.

Parentline ACT assists any person who wants information or someone to talk to about parenting. You may be a mothers, father, single parent, co-parent, step-parent, guardian, grandparent, godparent, friend, carer, service provider or another relative.

Immediate counselling and support over the telephone;

• Information on other services;
• Referral to other agencies;
• Ideas and resources about parenting.

We can also arrange to talk with community groups or organisations about parenting.

(02) 6287 3833

parentline@parentlineact.org.au

Tuggeranong Repair Cafe

Held on the last Sunday of each month from February to November, 1-4 PM at 200 Clive Steele Ave, Monash. Bring your household items for repair and learn new skills with the help of skilled volunteers.

For more information, visit seechange.org.au.

Do not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms

The ACT Health Directorate is reminding all school communities that death cap mushrooms are growing in the ACT. They are a deadly poisonous fungus. There have been multiple poisonings and deaths associated with death caps in Canberra.

Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are one of the world’s deadliest mushrooms. They often grow near established oak trees, although they have also been found in other places. Death caps grow in the ACT at different times of the year, and autumn is usually the peak growing period.

All parts of the death cap mushroom are poisonous and eating just part of a mushroom can be fatal. Death caps cannot be made safe by cooking, soaking, peeling, freezing or drying.

If you suspect someone might have eaten a death cap mushroom, they must seek urgent medical attention at a hospital emergency department. Do not wait for symptoms to occur. The chances of survival increase when treatment is started early. If possible, take any remaining mushroom sample to hospital with the patient.

The key message is not to touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms.

If you see death cap mushrooms growing on your property:

· keep children and animals away

· remove the whole mushroom using gloves or a tool, including any part under the ground

· secure it in a plastic bag

· place it into a rubbish bin that cannot be accessed by children, to go to landfill, and

· wash your hands.

Also, monitor the site frequently for further growth, remove mushrooms before mowing to prevent spreading and do not compost them. Death cap mushrooms in public places can be reported at Fix My Street, or by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81. More information is available at www.act.gov.au by searching death cap mushrooms, including some translated resources.

Blog information

Do you have a positive story to share about our students, alumni, staff, or the wider college community?

We’re excited to showcase stories, photos, and artworks on our blog.

Please send your submissions to scott.montoyaval@ed.act.edu.au